Date night in Tuscaloosa: dinner at Evangeline's, DePalma's, FIVE and The Sanctuary, a film at the Bama Theatre, the symphony, skating and the Riverwalk.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Hours, addresses and phone numbers come from each restaurant’s and venue’s own website, linked below. Hours change; call ahead. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked.

A Tuscaloosa date night usually means dinner downtown or on McFarland Boulevard, then a show at the Bama Theatre or the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, or a walk on the Riverwalk. On Fridays and Saturdays downtown’s to-go cup district stays open until 11 p.m.

Know before you go

  • Reservations: Evangeline’s recommends them; DePalma’s does not take them.
  • Late on weekends: FIVE and The Sanctuary on 25th serve until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • Parking downtown: free in the Intermodal Facility deck, 2230 Seventh St.

Dinner

Restaurant Address Dinner hours Phone
DePalma’s Italian Cafe 2300 University Blvd. First come, first served; no reservations 205-759-1879
Evangeline’s 1653 McFarland Blvd. North Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. 205-752-0830
FIVE 2324 Sixth St. Sunday to Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 to 11 p.m. 205-345-6089
The Sanctuary on 25th 1710 25th Ave. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday 205-535-9620
  • Evangeline’s serves dinner only, Tuesday to Saturday, and suggests booking an early table between 5 and 5:30 p.m.
  • DePalma’s Italian Cafe is downtown on University Boulevard and seats walk-ins only.
  • FIVE also has a happy hour at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m. every day, and a weekend brunch.
  • The Sanctuary on 25th lists cocktails alongside its menu and stays open late on weekends.

More ideas: our brunch guide for a daytime date, and Visit Tuscaloosa’s weekly Tasting Tuscaloosa downtown food tour.

A show

  • The Historic Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave., run by the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa: films, concerts and shows. Coming up: The Conjuring (2013, rated R), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
  • The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway: Jon Pardi on Oct. 23 and the Tuscaloosa Symphony’s Home Alone in Concert on Nov. 20, 2026; Chicago on April 1, 2027, the city says. Box office: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
  • The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra at Moody Concert Hall: Gershwin Greats, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2027 (TSO).

After dinner

  • Skating under the lights: Holidays on the Plaza on Government Plaza, Nov. 23, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027; open until 10 p.m. most Fridays and Saturdays, $15 with skates (rink calendar).
  • The Tinsel Trail, more than 200 lit trees on Government Plaza, lit dusk to dawn and free.
  • First Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, downtown galleries.
  • A drink downtown: the Arts and Entertainment District allows one drink per adult in an approved cup, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays noon to 9:30 p.m. See live music and nightlife.
  • A sunset walk: the Riverwalk stays open until one hour after sunset.

Frequently asked questions

Does DePalma’s in Tuscaloosa take reservations?

No. DePalma’s Italian Cafe, 2300 University Blvd., seats first come, first served, its website says. Call 205-759-1879.

When is Evangeline’s open?

Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., at 1653 McFarland Blvd. North. The restaurant recommends reservations at 205-752-0830.

Which Tuscaloosa restaurants are open late on weekends?

FIVE, 2324 Sixth St., serves dinner until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and The Sanctuary on 25th, 1710 25th Ave., is open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

What is there to do on a date night in Tuscaloosa?

A film or show at the Historic Bama Theatre, a Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater concert, the Tuscaloosa Symphony at Moody Concert Hall, First Friday downtown, or skating at Holidays on the Plaza from Nov. 23 to Jan. 3.